SILT: SCC Library Information Fluency Tutorial

Information Fluency Definition (ACRL)

The SCC/LRC adheres to the Information Fluency Competency Standards for Higher Education as approved by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) on Jan.18, 2000. ACRL defines Information Fluency as:

"Information fluency forms the basis for lifelong learning. It is common to all disciplines, to all learning environments, and to all levels of education. It enables learners to master context and extend their investigations, become more self-directed, and assume greater control over their own learning. An information fluent individual is able to:

• Determine the extent of information needed.
• Access the needed information effectively and efficiently.
• Evaluate information and its sources critically.
• Incorporate selected information into one's knowledge base.
• Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose.
• Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethically and legally.

Introduction/Instructional Philosophy

Students who are assigned projects requiring library research often lack basic library skills and/or are overwhelmed by the "information explosion," the plethora and diversity of library resources provided through digital information technology. The library instruction program at the SCC Library is designed to teach students how to use both print and state-of-the-art technologically produced information resources while developing skills in lifelong information fluency. Achieving information fluency requires an introduction to library resources and services, acquisition of rudimentary electronic database searching skills, and a basic understanding of the structure and function of contemporary information networks. Early meaningful introduction of the systems and processes will enhance student self-sufficiency to perform basic research. Such instruction provides students an opportunity to meet with a librarian to learn about contemporary research processes and to get specific information on using the SCC Library.

Objectives

The primary objective of the SCC Library information fluency instruction program is to enhance the ability of students to locate, gather and evaluate information in any format. Overall objectives are to support the college curriculum and participate in the academic communication process to promote lifelong learning skills and continuous educational achievement.

Primary Modes of Instruction/Instructional Materials

With the exception of general tours, information fluency instruction is incorporated into class content research. Printed instructional worksheet exercises and online Research Subject Guides tailored to address specific course assignments are the primary teaching instruments used to enable a clear, understandable, hands-on approach to learning. Worksheet exercises require students both to utilize library research resources and services, and to answer a series of questions in the context of class assignments. Online Research Subject Guides are Internet based clickable links navigating library services, resources and research instruction. The Guides are accessible at the "Library Research Quick Start" homepage via any computer with access to the Internet with a graphical browser, such as Netscape or Internet Explorer. Hence, they can be used for group or individual self-guided instruction in use of all library tools.

Both modes of instruction provide a step-by-step guide to the research process and both introduce students to the resources and search strategies most appropriate for their assignments and level of expertise. They also primarily address navigation skills required to move through database menus and technical skills for searching library catalogs, and databases for citations or full-text periodical articles.

Further, extended research guidance support is provided. Students can ask an information specialist for assistance via e-mail, in person, by telephone or by traditional mail.

Additional Means of Instruction

• VCR audio/video tape presentation for class or individual use. These presentations provide a general overview of library nomenclature, services and resources, and is usually shown to class groups prior to hands-on instruction.
• Point of use bibliographic instruction. This demonstrates the use of library resources for a specific topic.
• Library tours. Tours provide information on the location and availability of resources.
• LIS2004 Introduction to Internet Research (Distance Learning credit course). This course teaches skills necessary for searching the Internet successfully. It reviews the parts of the Internet that are important for accessing information necessary for Gordon Rule papers, essays, or research reports. It demonstrates how information is retrieved on the Internet should be evaluated for its content and credibility, and stresses the development of critical thinking skills.

Instructors

A librarian faculty member introduces students to library services, policies, and resources and then, explains and assists students with the worksheet exercises or online Research Subject Guides during approximately an hour instructional session per class.

Given sufficient lead-time, librarians will provide presentations and written materials geared specifically to course and assignment, as well as general orientations for more inexperienced students.

A librarian or the Dean of Libraries & Learning Technology teaches LIS 2004.

Student Performance/Outcomes Objectives

Understand basic research fundamentals To appreciate that there is a process to searching for information

• To identify key words or phrases that represent a topic
• To formulate, broaden and narrow, a topic
• To use Boolean logic (e.g., AND, OR, NOT) to focus research
• To recognize various formats of information
• To locate bibliographic and reference sources appropriate to a topic
• To distinguish between popular, scholarly, current and historical resources
• To distinguish among indexes in various formats
• To distinguish among online databases, collections of online databases, and gateways to different databases and collections
• To recognize what the library owns and how to find it
• To realize how to secure materials not held by the library
• To use appropriate documentation to cite sources
• To use information ethically and legally

Navigate the Library

• To access the SCC Library Web site and explore its components
• To become aware of basic library policies, procedures, and services including using other libraries directly or through interlibrary loan/document delivery
• To discover locations of library collections, service desks, and other physical features of the building
• Use the LINCCWeb Online Catalog
• To search for a known item by author and title
• To search by subject and keyword
• To interpret catalog information correctly
• To access a journal by title
• To search for periodical holdings

Search Online Databases and/or Printed Indexes and Abstracts to Search for Full-text or Applicable Citations to Magazine, Journal and Newspaper Articles

• To search online databases by subject, keyword, author, and title
• To search printed indexes and abstracting services by subject, author and title
• To use "Help" screens in various databases to assist in research
• To realize different interfaces for basic and advanced searching in some databases
• To recognize search functionality common to most databases
• To determine means for recording or saving information (e.g.,printing, e-mailing, saving to a disc, photocopying)
• To recognize that some material is not available online or digitized formats and must be accessed in print or other formats (video, microforms, etc.)

Use the Internet to Locate Appropriate Resources

• To connect to research oriented resources
• To evaluate the contents, credibility, design, and navigational features of web sites

Performance Evaluation/Assessment Measurement of Learning Outcomes

Measured outcomes will vary according to current class and LRC interaction. A syllabus will detail the current measurable evaluation.

Did you know?

SCC's Library has one of the most extensive collections of literature and educational materials in Seminole County.